What is Macro Photography? - Photography Project

Macro photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing small subjects up close.

This genre of photography allows you to take pictures of tiny objects, such as insects, plants, or everyday items, and make them look life-sized or even larger in the photo. It involves getting close to the subject and focusing on the fine details that are often not visible to the naked eye, like the texture of a leaf, the patterns on a butterfly’s wings, or the intricate structure of a snowflake.

Macro photography requires special equipment, such as macro lenses or extension tubes, to achieve the magnification necessary to capture these small details.

Introduction to Macro Photography

Macro photography opens up a world where the minute details of our universe become the stars of the show. It’s a genre that allows photographers to get up close and personal with subjects that are often overlooked, revealing the intricate patterns, textures, and forms that are invisible to the naked eye.

The true beauty of macro photography lies in its ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary. A simple leaf, a drop of water, or an insect’s wing can become a stunning subject when magnified and captured with precision.

Understanding Macro Photography Equipment

Does the type of camera matter?

Any camera can be used for macro photography, but those with the ability to manually control settings and interchange lenses are better. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are the go-to choices.

Can any lens be a macro lens?

Hmmm…technically no, a macro lens is a dedicated bit of kit made purely for close up pictures, but with some trickery, any lens can be made to focus up close.

Macro lenses are specially designed to focus at very short distances, rendering their subjects in life-size magnifications on the camera sensor. They come in various focal lengths, each offering a different perspective and working distance. A dedicated macro lens will always produce better results than using hacks such as extension tubes or close up filters.

I’ve written more on how to hack a macro in this post – 5 camera hacks that actually work

Do I need a tripod?

Given the close focusing distances and the narrow depth of field, stability is key in macro photography. A sturdy tripod is going to make your life a lot easier, they can be a significant investment, but when the tiniest of movements can ruin your careful setup, you’ll be well glad of a decent tripod.

Also, modern cameras are heavy and a crappy tripod won’t secure it in place, it is genuinely infuriating when the tripod head won’t lock and keeps tilting, it makes you want to throw it out the window.

Do I need additional lighting?

Maybe. If you’re shooting indoors and are in complete control of the scene, then you should be fine with a regular bounce flash, desktop lamp or the torch on your phone.

Note – the flash on top of your camera won’t work, you’ll be so close to the subject that the lens will cast a shadow.

Set your camera on a tripod and experiment with the torch on your phone, it’s a great way to see how light direction highlights texture.

If you’re shooting outdoors in daylight, then lighting becomes more of an issue. Often the thing you want to photograph is hidden away somewhere, around leaves, climbing up a tree, sitting in the grass. These areas are rarely out in the open, and therefore have a reduced amount of light reaching them.

Consider mushrooms for example, they like dark and damp woodland typically, and they appear in Autumn. Each of these factors impacts the amount of light available to you. But still, investing in macro flashes may be overkill, you can still take cracking photographs by using the torch on your phone, it’s all about experimenting!

Macro Lenses

A dedicated macro lens is going to make the world of difference to the quality of your photographs.

Here is a list of macro lenses from various manufacturers that cater to different budget ranges:

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro (High-End)
- This lens is part of Canon’s esteemed L series and offers superb image quality as well as featuring an Image Stabilization (IS) system, making it easier to capture sharp images handheld. The build quality is excellent, and the ultrasonic motor (USM) allows for quick and quiet autofocus.
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED (High-End)
- Nikon’s 105mm macro lens is a favourite among Nikon shooters due to its Vibration Reduction (VR) feature, which is particularly helpful in macro photography where even the slightest movement can cause blur. The lens produces exceptionally sharp images with beautiful bokeh and is well-constructed.
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS (High-End)
- Sony’s offering in the macro lens market is this 90mm lens with Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization. Its sharpness is remarkable, and the lens features a focus hold button and a slider to switch between different focus ranges. It’s a solid choice for those in the Sony ecosystem.
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (Mid-Range)
- Sigma’s 105mm macro lens is compatible with multiple camera mounts and provides optical stabilization (OS). It’s a fantastic alternative to brand-name lenses, offering excellent optical performance and build quality at a lower price point.
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro (Mid-Range)
- This Tamron lens is a great value for its price, providing Vibration Compensation (VC) and an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) for focusing. The image quality is on par with more expensive lenses, making it a wise choice for budget-conscious yet quality-seeking photographers.
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro (Mid-Range)
- Designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, this Olympus lens is compact and lightweight, perfect for handheld shooting. It offers a significant magnification of 1:1 and is weather-sealed, which is not always common in macro lenses at this price point.
Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro (Mid-Range)
- This is Fujifilm’s first 1:1 macro lens for the X-Series cameras. It features optical image stabilization and a linear motor for fast autofocus. The lens is weather-resistant and produces sharp images with pleasing bokeh.
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (Entry-Level)
- This is a compact and affordable macro lens for Canon’s APS-C cameras. It delivers excellent image quality and the USM provides fast and near-silent autofocus. It’s a great entry point into macro photography for Canon users.
Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (Entry-Level)
- A lightweight and budget-friendly option for Nikon’s crop-sensor cameras, this lens provides a natural perspective and is good for close-up shots. It lacks vibration reduction, but the image quality is solid for its price range.
Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro (Entry-Level)
- This lens is a compact option for Sony’s APS-C cameras, offering a 1:1 magnification. It’s a great starting point for those new to macro photography with Sony mirrorless cameras, offering good image quality in a small package.

Remember – when looking at third party lenses (lenses that are made by companies that aren’t the same as the company that makes your camera), always check that you’re buying the right lens mount to fit your camera. If your camera is made by Canon and you’re buying a Sigma lens, make sure you’re buying the version with a Canon EOS mount.

How are Macro lenses different to normal lenses?

Macro lenses differ from regular lenses primarily in their ability to reproduce small subjects at a very close range with a high level of detail, typically at life-size (1:1) magnification or greater. Here are the key differences:

Magnification and Focusing Distance: Macro lenses are designed to focus much closer to the subject than regular lenses, allowing for high magnification ratios. While a standard lens might have a minimum focusing distance that limits how close you can get to the subject, a macro lens allows you to get close enough to capture life-sized images of tiny subjects.
Optical Design: Macro lenses have specialized optical designs that enable them to deliver sharp, detailed images with flat focus planes that are essential for close-up work. The optics of a macro lens are constructed to minimize distortions and aberrations at very close focusing distances, which is not the case with regular lenses that are optimized for longer distances.
Depth of Field: When working at such close distances, the depth of field (the range of distance within a photo that appears acceptably sharp) becomes extremely shallow. Macro lenses are designed to perform well with a shallow depth of field and often feature smaller maximum apertures to give photographers more control over the depth of field.
Internal Focusing Mechanisms: Many macro lenses feature internal focusing mechanisms that prevent the lens from extending when focusing, which is particularly beneficial when working with live subjects that might be scared away by the movement of the lens.
Flat Field Focus: Unlike regular lenses, which can have a curved focus plane (meaning the centre and edges of the image may not all be in focus at the same time), macro lenses are often designed with a flat-field focus. This means they can keep the entire subject in sharp focus, from edge to edge, which is crucial for detailed macro work.
Image Stabilization: Because the slightest movement can be magnified in macro photography, many macro lenses come with image stabilization technology to help minimize the effects of camera shake, which is especially useful when shooting at slower shutter speeds or when shooting handheld.

How does macro photography affect depth of field when compared to normal photography?

macro photography depth of field

Macro photography significantly affects depth of field (DoF) compared to normal photography due to the close proximity of the lens to the subject and the magnification involved. Here’s how:

Shallow Depth of Field: At the same aperture, a macro photograph will have a much shallower depth of field than a photograph taken at a normal focusing distance. This means that in macro photography, only a very thin slice of the image will be in sharp focus, with the rest falling off rapidly into blur. This effect is pronounced due to the increased magnification of the subject.
Distance Factor: The closer the lens is to the subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes. In macro photography, you are often working at the closest possible distance that your lens allows, which inherently reduces the DoF.
Magnification Ratio: Macro photography often involves shooting at high magnification ratios (1:1 or greater), which amplifies any movement and camera shake. As a result, the perceived depth of field becomes even shallower, as slight movements can throw parts of the subject out of focus.
Aperture Settings: To manage the shallow DoF in macro photography, smaller apertures (larger f-number) are often used to increase the depth of field. However, even with small apertures, the DoF in macro photography is still relatively shallow compared to regular photography at the same aperture setting.
Focal Length: Macro lenses tend to have longer focal lengths, which also affects the depth of field. Longer lenses have a shallower depth of field compared to wider lenses, all else being equal.

In summary, macro photography creates a much shallower depth of field due to the close focusing distance and the magnification of the subject. This shallow DoF can be a creative tool, allowing photographers to isolate the subject and create images with a strong focus on the subject, but it also requires careful attention to focusing and aperture settings to ensure the desired area of the subject remains sharp.

How does macro photography affect shutter speed when compared to normal photography?

Macro photography can have a profound impact on the choice of shutter speed compared to normal photography for several reasons:

Magnification of Movement: In macro photography, even the slightest movement is magnified due to the close-up nature of the shots. As a result, what might be an imperceptible movement when shooting at a normal distance can become significant in macro photography. To freeze motion and maintain sharpness, faster shutter speeds are often required.
Shallow Depth of Field: With the shallow depth of field in macro photography, maintaining focus on a specific area of the subject is crucial. Any movement by the subject or camera can cause the focus point to shift, leading to a blurred image. A faster shutter speed can help mitigate the risk of blur due to small movements.
Lighting Challenges: Macro subjects are often lit differently than in normal photography. The close proximity of the lens to the subject can block light sources, and the use of small apertures (large f-number) to increase depth of field reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, which might normally call for a slower shutter speed. However, because of the need to minimize movement, photographers must find a balance, often compensating with additional lighting or higher ISO settings.
Use of Flash: Flash is commonly used in macro photography to provide the necessary light while allowing for a faster shutter speed. This can freeze motion effectively, especially when dealing with moving subjects like insects. Bear in mind the flash on top of your camera won’t work, the lens is so close to the subject that it casts a shadow.
Camera Stability: Camera shake is more pronounced in macro photography. To counteract this, a rule of thumb is that the shutter speed should be at least as fast as the reciprocal of the effective focal length of the lens. Because macro lenses often have longer focal lengths and because of the close-up nature of the work, this can lead to the necessity of using faster shutter speeds.
Handheld vs. Tripod: If shooting handheld, faster shutter speeds are typically used to ensure sharp images. When using a tripod, you might have the flexibility to use slower shutter speeds, but you still need to consider the movement of the subject itself.

In normal photography, these factors are less critical, and there is generally more leeway in selecting shutter speeds. In macro photography, precise control over shutter speed is critical to counteract the magnification of movement and ensure a sharp image.

Macro Photography Projects and Ideas

Here are several project ideas that can help develop skills and understanding while providing opportunities for creative exploration.

Garden Insects and Plants: Explore your garden or a local park to photograph insects like bees, butterflies, or spiders, as well as the details of flowers, leaves, and textures of bark and moss. This introduces you to working with live subjects and natural textures.
Water Drops: Capture the intricate details of water drops on surfaces like leaves, glass, or even compact discs. Experiment with lighting and background to see how it affects the appearance of the drops.
Kitchen Close-ups: Your kitchen is full of interesting textures and patterns. Photograph everyday items like fruits’ textures, the patterns on a slice of bread, or bubbles in a glass of carbonated drink.
Jewellery and Watches: These items often have intricate details that are ideal for macro photography. Focus on capturing the sparkle of a gemstone or the intricate workings of a watch mechanism.
Household Items: Explore common household items like fabrics, the surface of a computer chip, or the grooves in a vinyl record. This project can help you learn how to make mundane objects look intriguing.
Feathers and Fur: If you have pets, try photographing their fur, feathers, or even the details in their eyes. This can also be an exercise in patience and working with moving subjects.
Snowflakes and Ice Crystals: If you live in a cold climate, capturing the unique structures of snowflakes or the patterns in frost and ice can be both challenging and rewarding.
Sand and Soil: Look at the ground beneath your feet for interesting macro subjects. Sand, soil, or even small rocks can reveal surprising details when viewed up close.
Flower Petals and Pollen: Flowers offer an endless variety of shapes, colours, and textures. Focus on the details like the edge of a petal, the patterns of pollen, or the inside of a bloom.
Text and Print: Close-up shots of printed text, the tip of a pen, or the individual pixels on a screen can create fascinating abstract images and help you practice focusing precisely.
Soap Bubbles: Capturing the swirling colours and fleeting nature of soap bubbles can be both a technical and artistic challenge.
Stationery Items: Items like pencils, paper clips, or the bristles of a paintbrush can become fascinating subjects when photographed up close.
Leaf Veins: The intricate vein patterns on leaves can make for a beautiful and educational project, teaching you about both nature and macro techniques.
Textures in Nature: Go on a nature walk and focus on capturing textures – the roughness of tree bark, the patterns of a rock, or the delicate structure of a mushroom.
Abstracts with Oil and Water: Mixing oil and water on a glass surface and lighting it creatively can produce mesmerizing abstract patterns, ideal for honing your lighting and composition skills.

These projects are designed to be accessible and doable with minimal specialized equipment, making them perfect for beginners. They also provide a diverse range of subjects and challenges to help develop various macro photography skills.

FAQs

What is the best lens for macro photography? The best lens for macro photography is a dedicated macro lens that offers 1:1 magnification, which means it can reproduce the subject on the camera sensor at its actual size. The focal length choice depends on your subject and how close you want to get; common focal lengths for macro lenses are 60mm, 100mm, and 180mm.
Can I use a regular lens for macro photography? While a regular lens doesn’t offer the same magnification and close focusing capabilities as a macro lens, you can still use it for close-up photography. Accessories like extension tubes or close-up filters can enhance the magnification ability of a regular lens. OR, take the lens off of the body, flip it round and shoot through it holding it, it’s hard, but it can be done – check my blog for how to here – 5 camera hacks that actually work
How do I stabilize my camera for macro shots? To stabilize your camera for macro shots, use a sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake. Some photographers also use a macro focusing rail for fine adjustments to the camera’s position without disturbing the tripod.
What is the best lighting for macro photography? The best lighting for macro photography is usually soft and diffused to avoid harsh shadows and highlight details. Natural light is excellent, particularly on overcast days. For indoor or night photography, LED ring lights or macro flash units can provide good illumination.
How can I improve my macro photography skills? Improving your macro photography skills involves practice, learning, and experimentation. Start by understanding your equipment, practice manual focusing, and experiment with lighting and composition. Also, consider studying the work of established macro photographers, joining workshops, and participating in online photography communities for feedback and tips.